Image displaying method, game system and computer readable storage medium storing image displaying program

ABSTRACT

It is an object of the present invention to enable to provide with a image display method which displays a high-quality picture without making any disorder on the screen even when the processing load increases.  
     A required time for each unit processing within one flame is detected during the image display processing, and a cumulative processing time Ta which is a total of each unit processing time is calculated. Then it is judged weather the situation Ta&lt;Tr is made for the predetermined reference value Tr. By the result of the above judgement, the first display mode in which the pixel position of an odd number flame and an even number flame are differently arranged, and the second display mode in which the pixel position of an odd number flame and an even number flame are identically arranged, are alternatively settled. Then the paint processing for the object flame is performed. The first display mode which has advantage in picture quality is settled if the processing load is light. The second display mode is settled if the processing load is heavy. Accordingly, the disorder on the screen caused by the delay of processing is prevented and the high quality image display is realized.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an image displaying method in agame system and the like, especially belongs to a technical field of animage displaying method for constituting an image by processing imagedata for each flame and outputting them to a display device.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Recently, the quality of a game picture has been improved withthe improvement of the processing performance of a game machine. In theconventional home use game system, the game picture is constituted byoutputting image data to be displayed on the monitor of the NTSCtelevision system by each flame. In such a game system, 60 flames offlame image data are generated in one second corresponding to an NTSCinterlace scanning.

[0005] It is desirable to improve a resolution by increasing pixelnumber constituting flame image data for the improvement of the gamepicture. On the other hand, it is necessary to control the total numberof pixels of the flame image data because there is certain amount ofrestriction on memory size for storing flame image data and imageprocessing capacity. Therefor, there exists a conventional method tosubstantially double the resolution by, for example, shifting a positionof an even number flame from that of an odd number flame in verticaldirection by half size of one pixel and outputting flame image data byturns. Thus, it is possible to display a high quality game picture withcontrol the data size and processing amount in image processing and.

[0006] However, even when the above described method is applied, theimage processing must be conducted 60 times per one second, resulting ina seriously heavy load of processing. On the other hand, there will be aheavy load when other processing, for example, a calculation ofthree-dimensional expression is conducted in synchronism with imageprocessing of each flame. In some situation of the game, it possiblyhappens that all of the processing can not be finished within a flame.As a result, the synchronism for each flame can not be attained and adisorder appears on the game picture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention is made to solve these problems. It is anobject of the present invention to provide with an image display methodcapable of displaying a high-quality picture without making any disorderon the picture even when the processing load increases.

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, according to the firstembodiment of the present invention, there is provided an imagedisplaying method for displaying an image by outputting image data byeach flame to display device, wherein it is possible to setalternatively a first display mode which outputs image data to thedisplay device with a different pixel arrangement for each flame and asecond display mode which outputs image data to the display device withan identical pixel arrangement for each flame, judging a scale of aprocessing load performed within one flame, and setting the firstdisplay mode when the load is judged to be light or setting the seconddisplay mode when the load is judged to be heavy.

[0009] The second embodiment of the present invention is a game systemdisplaying an image by outputting image data to a display device foreach flame, comprising a display mode setting device for settingalternatively a first display mode outputting image data to the displaydevice with a different pixel arrangement for each flame and a seconddisplay mode outputting image data to the display device with anidentical pixel arrangement for each flame, wherein the display modesetting device judges a scale of processing load performed within oneflame, sets the first display mode when the load is judged to be light,or sets second display mode when the load is judged to be heavy.

[0010] The third embodiment of the present invention is a computerreadable storage medium storing an image display program formed so as tomake a computer, performing an image display processing to display animage by outputting image data to a display device by each flame,function as; being able to set alternatively a first display mode whichoutputs image data to the display device with a different pixelarrangement for each flame and a second display mode which outputs imagedata to the display device with an identical pixel arrangement for eachflame, and judging a processing load performed within one flame andsetting the first display mode when the load is judged to be light orsetting the second display mode when the load is judged to be heavy.

[0011] According to these embodiments, an image is displayed by settingthe first display mode when the load is light and by setting the seconddisplay mode when the load is heavy during outputting the image data tothe display device by each flame. Accordingly, the resolution isimproved artificially as different pixel arrangement for each flame innormal situation. On the other hand, the processing load is lightened ifthe processing is too busy to be performed. Therefor, the disorder ofpicture quality is prevented by arranging identical pixel for each flameand an image is displayed with a well-balanced adjustment between thequantity of processing and the quality of the picture.

[0012] The fourth embodiment of the present invention is an imagedisplaying method characterized by that the first display modeconstitutes image data by arranging pixel data at different pixelpositions each other for an odd number flame and an even number flame.

[0013] The fifth embodiment of the present invention is a game systemcharacterized by that the display mode setting device makes the firstdisplay mode constitute image data by arranging pixel data at differentpixel positions each other for an odd number flame and an even numberflame.

[0014] The sixth embodiment of the present invention is a computerreadable storage medium storing an image displaying program according toclaim 10 in the invention according to claim 9 is characterized by thatthe first display mode constitutes image data by arranging pixel data atdifferent pixel positions each other for an odd number flame and an evennumber flame.

[0015] According to these embodiments, as the processing load is judgedby comparing the processing time with the predetermined reference value,judgement for switching the first display mode to the second displaymode is performed accurately.

[0016] The seventh embodiment of the present invention is an imagedisplay method characterized by that the switching operation to thefirst display mode is performed if the processing time is continuouslyless than the reference value during predetermined number of flames inthe case where the second display mode is set.

[0017] The eighth embodiment of the present invention is a game systemcharacterized by that the display mode setting device sets a switchingto the first display mode when the processing time is continuously lessthan the reference value during predetermined number of flames in thecase where the second display mode is set.

[0018] The ninth embodiment of the present invention is a computerreadable storage medium storing an image displaying programcharacterized by that the program is formed so as to make the computerswitch to the first display mode when the processing time iscontinuously less than the reference value during predetermined numberof flames in the case where said second display mode is set.

[0019] According to these embodiments, a the switching operation is notimmediately conducted even when the processing load is lightened duringthe setting to the second display mode, and the switching operation isconducted after the consecutive situation where the processing load islight, a steady switching operation can be realized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing brief constitution of the gamesystem of one embodiment of the invention;

[0021]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a data structure of the flame pictureused in the first display mode; and

[0022]FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a display processing in theembodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] There will be explained hereinafter a preferred embodiment of theinvention with referring to the drawings. Here, the embodiment in whichthe present invention is applied to a conventional home-use game systemwill be explained.

[0024]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a brief constitution of the gamesystem of this embodiment. The game system shown in FIG.1 comprises aCPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, an interface 14, a controller 15, anexternal memory 16, a paint processing portion 17, a flame buffer 18, amonitor 19, a DVD-ROM drive 20, a sound processing portion 21 and aspeaker 22. The system makes the required game be operated by settingthe DVD-ROM 10 storing a game program and game data on the DVD-ROM drive20.

[0025] In FIG. 1, CPU 11 controls the operation of whole game system andgives/receives control signals and data by being connected to eachconstitutional element. The ROM 12 and the RAM 13 are used as storingdevices. The operating system program and various kinds of data requiredfor the operation control of the whole game system are stored in the ROM12. A memory area is provided on the RAM 13 for tentatively storing gameprogram readout from the DVD-ROM 10, or data necessary for the gameproceeding.

[0026] The controller 15 connected via the interface 14 functions as anoperation device for the player's operation during the game. Thecontroller 15 comprises operation members such as a cross key 15 a forinputting vertical and horizontal direction and a push button key 15 b.Signals corresponding to the operation status of these operation membersare output to the CPU 11. Further, external memory 16 is connectedattachably to/detachably from CPU 11 via an interface 14 and is used forrewritablly storing the data which indicates the progress of the game.The player of the game can record a desired data on the external memory16 by commanding it with the controller 15 as required.

[0027] The DVD-ROM 10 is a storage medium storing program for executingthe game and various kind of collateral data such as image data andsound data relating to the game. The DVD-ROM drive 20 reads out requiredprograms and data by conducting read-out motion on the inserted DVD-ROM10 under the control of the CPU 11.

[0028] The paint processing portion 17 conducts painting process forimage data which is read out from DVD-ROM 10 and processed by the CPU11. As the display of the image data is made by each flame, the flameimage data for each flame is generated at the paint processing portion.Flame image data is constituted by allegation of the pixel data includedin the image area of pixel number H for the horizontal direction andpixel number V for the vertical direction. The paint processing portion17 performs display processing by generating 60 flame image data one byone per one second according to the NTSC system.

[0029] There are the first display mode and the second display mode asdisplay processing of the game screen of this embodiment. As describedlatter, switching operation to one display mode is conducted under thecertain conditions by the control of the CPU 11. The first display modeis an arrangement where the pixel location is dislocated each other byhalf-pixel size in the vertical direction between odd number flames andeven number flames, and they correspond to different picturesrespectively. Accordingly, the resolution can actually be doubled by theflame image data of the odd number flame and the even number flame. Onthe other hand, the pixel location of the odd number flame is same asthat of the even number flame, and the resolution equals half of that ofthe first display mode.

[0030] Here, there will be explained a structure of a flame image dataused in the first display mode by showing FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, a pixelarrangement of the flame image data for the odd number flame and theeven number flame is respectively shown. In both of them, pixels numberV in vertical direction and pixels number H in horizontal direction, V×Hof pixel data p in total, are arranged. It is apparent that their pixellocation is dislocated by half size of a pixel each other in verticaldirection as indicated with the dotted line by comparing the odd numberflame with the even number flame. Accordingly, in the case where the oddnumber flame and the even number flame are displayed alternately, pixelnumbers in the vertical direction are increased to 2H, resulting in theimprovement of the resolution.

[0031] On the other hand, in the second display mode, the odd numberflame and the even number flame are arranged at the same location withno difference in pixel arrangement of flame image data. Accordingly, theresolution of the image by the second display mode is actually half ofthat by the first display mode.

[0032] Then going back to FIG. 1, the flame buffer 18 stores 1 flamesize of flame image data generated by paint processing portion 17.Accordingly, the paint processing portion has a capacity for storing theflame image data comprising at least V×H of pixel data. The flame imagedata stored in the flame buffer 18 is read out by 60 flames per onesecond from flame buffer 18 and is output to the monitor 19. As themonitor 19, a home-use television set referenced to the NTSC system canbe used.

[0033] The sound processing portion 21 converts the sound data readoutfrom the DVD-ROM 10 into analogue sound signal and outputs it to thespeaker 22. Further, the sound processing portion 21 generates soundeffect and musical sound required during the game and converts them intoanalogue signal and then outputs it to the speaker 22 in compliance withthe command made by the CPU 11.

[0034] Then, there will be explained display processing in theembodiment of the present invention by referring to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is aflow chart showing a display processing for displaying a game screen onthe monitor 19. In this embodiment, switching operation to/from abovedescribed first display mode or the second display mode is madecorresponding to the scale of the processing load controlled by the CPU11. Here, the processing controlled by the CPU 11 performs eachprocessing unit one by one as a loop so as to be synchronized with oneflame. For example, these processing unit comprises a judgement routineof the content of the operation by the controller 15, a considerationroutine of the character, display control routine, and various kind ofother processing.

[0035] Firstly, in step S1, a required time for a unit processing withinone flame is detected. If the processing performed in each flameincludes a plurality of unit processing, the time required for each unitprocessing may be detected. For example, the time required for each unitprocessing can be detected by providing a clock device controlled by theCPU 11. Next, in step S2, the cumulative processing time Ta required foreach unit processing is calculated. The cumulative processing time Tamay be directly detected by means of the clock device.

[0036] Next, in step S3, the cumulative processing time Ta within oneflame is compared with the predetermined reference value Tr. Thisreference value may be set as approximately same as a time for oneflame. With the comparison result in step S3, if it is judged to beTa<Tr ( step S3; YES ), then the process proceeds to step S4. If it isnot judged to be Ta<Tr ( step S3; NO ), then the process proceeds tostep S5.

[0037] In step S4, it is judged whether the above described firstdisplay mode is currently being set in display processing. In step S5,it is judged whether the above described second display mode iscurrently being set in display processing. With the judgement resultinstep S4, if it is judged that the first display mode is currently set(step S4; YES), then the process proceeds to step S9. In a same manner,with the judgement result in step S5, if it is judged that the seconddisplay mode is currently set( step S5; YES ), then the process alsoproceeds to step S9. Namely, both cases correspond to the case where thecurrent display mode is kept as it is.

[0038] On the other hand, with the judgement result in step S4, if it isjudged that the first display mode is not set but the second displaymode is set ( step S4; NO ), then it is judged whether the situation ofTa<Tr is consecutively made in M flames in step S6. The purpose of thisprocess is to wait for the stability of the status at a certain leveleven if the processing load is lightened in the setting process to thesecond display mode. In addition, the consecutive flame number M in stepS6 may be settled appropriately by considering the rapidness and thestability of switching.

[0039] If a continuous M flames of the condition Ta<Tr is made as aresult of the judgement in step S6 (step S6; YES ), the process proceedsto step S9 after switching to the first display mode in step S7. Namely,in this case, as it is judged that there is an enough margin inprocessing load, a priority is set on the picture quality and displayprocessing with the flame image data in which pixel position of oddnumber flames is dislocated from that of even number flames as describedabove is performed hereafter. On the other hand, if the number of flamesin which the condition Ta<Tr is made is less than M as a result ofjudgement in S6 (step S6; NO), the process proceeds to step S9.

[0040] Besides, it is judged that not the second display mode but thefirst display mode is settled as a result of step S5, (step S5; NO), theprocess proceeds to step S9 after switching to the second display modein step S8. Namely, in this case, as it is judged that there is not anenough margin in processing load, for lightening the processing load,the display processing with the flame image data in which the pixelpositions of odd number flames and even number flames are arranged inthe common position as described above is performed hereafter.

[0041] Next, in step S9, a paint processing for object flame isperformed by the first display mode or the second display mode. Namely,the flame image data to be stored in flame buffer 18 is read out andoutput on the monitor 19 as a game picture of one flame size. Then, instep 10, it is judged weather the display processing of the game pictureis finished. If it is judged that the processing is continued ( stepS10; NO), steps after S1 are repeated. If it is judged that theprocessing is finished step S10; YES ),the process in FIG. 3 isfinalized.

[0042] As described above, in the process of FIG. 3 the switching fromthe first display mode to the second display mode or from the seconddisplay mode to the first display mode is performed. If the wholeprocessing scale expands and it becomes impossible to catch up the paintprocessing, then the second display mode which requires lighter load forpaint processing is settled. On the other hand, if the whole processingscale shrinks and there is an enough margin for paint processing, thefirst display mode which provides with a better picture quality isapplied. Accordingly, the disorder of the picture displayed on themonitor 19 can be prevented beforehand and a high quality picture can berealized.

[0043] Although the case where the invention is applied to the gamesystem in the above described embodiment, this invention is not limitedto the embodiment. The invention also can be applied to other forms ofsystems with image display processing. Besides, as a storage medium forstoring game program which makes the invention function, the CD-ROM, thefloppy disc, the hard disc, and various kind of storage medium can beused in addition to the DVD-ROM.

[0044] As described above, according to this invention, a high qualityimage display is realized without the disorder on the screen even if theprocessing load increases during the image displaying.

[0045] The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application NO2000-130254 filed on Apr. 28, 2000 including specification, claims,drawings and summary are incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. While the invention has been described in connection with whatis presently considered to be the most practical and preferredembodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to belimited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended tocover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included withinthe spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image displaying method for displaying animage by outputting image data by each flame to a display device,wherein being capable to set alternatively a first display mode whichoutputs image data to said display device with a different pixelarrangement for each flame and a second display mode which outputs imagedata to said display device with an identical pixel arrangement for eachflame, comprising steps of: judging a scale of a processing loadperformed within one flame, and setting said first display mode when theload is judged to be light or setting said second display mode when theload is judged to be heavy.
 2. An image displaying method according toclaim 1 , wherein said first display mode constitutes image data byarranging pixel data at different pixel positions each other for an oddnumber flame and an even number flame.
 3. An image displaying methodaccording to claim 1 , further comprising steps of; measuring aprocessing time required for the processing performed within one flame,and judging a scale of a load by comparing said processing time with apredetermined reference value.
 4. An image displaying method accordingto claim 3 , wherein a switching operation to said first display mode isperformed if said processing time is continuously less than saidreference value during predetermined number of flames in the case wheresaid second display mode is set.
 5. A game system displaying an image byoutputting image data to a display device for each flame, comprising adisplay mode setting device for setting alternatively a first displaymode outputting image data to said display device with a different pixelarrangement for each flame and a second display mode outputting imagedata to said display device with an identical pixel arrangement for eachflame, wherein said display mode setting device judges a scale ofprocessing load performed within one flame, sets said first display modewhen the load is judged to be light, or sets second display mode whenthe load is judged to be heavy.
 6. A game system according to claim 5 ,wherein said display mode setting device makes said first display modeconstitute image data by arranging pixel data at different pixelpositions each other for an odd number flame and an even number flame.7. A game system according to claim 5 , wherein said display modesetting device measures a processing time required for the processingperformed in one flame and judges a scale of load by comparing saidprocessing time with a predetermined reference value.
 8. A game systemaccording to claim 7 , wherein said display mode setting device sets aswitching to said first display mode when said processing time iscontinuously less than said reference value during predetermined numberof flames in the case where said second display mode is set.
 9. Acomputer readable storage medium storing an image display program formedso as to make a computer, performing an image display processing todisplay an image by outputting image data to a display device by eachflame, function as; being able to set alternatively a first display modewhich outputs image data to said display device with a different pixelarrangement for each flame to a second display mode which outputs imagedata to said display device with an identical pixel arrangement for eachflame, and judging a processing load performed within one flame andsetting said first display mode when the load is judged to be light orsetting said second display mode when the load is judged to be heavy.10. A computer readable storage medium storing an image display programaccording to claim 9 , wherein said first display mode constitutes imagedata by arranging pixel data at different pixel positions each other foran odd number flame and an even number flame.
 11. A computer readablestorage medium storing an image display program according to claim 9 ,wherein the program is formed so as to make the computer measure aprocessing time required for the processing performed in one flame andjudge a scale of load by comparing said processing time with apredetermined reference value.
 12. A computer readable storage mediumstoring an image display program according to claim 11 , wherein theprogram is formed so as to make the computer switch to said firstdisplay mode when said processing time is continuously less than saidreference value during predetermined number of flames in the case wheresaid second display mode is set.